Mednet Logo

Do you restrict the dose rate during treatment delivery to a pacemaker in addition to limiting the Dmax?

3 Answers
Mednet Member
Mednet Member
Radiation Oncology · Loma Linda University
Answered on

Delivering a high dose rate implies that the pacemaker would be exposed to the machine's direct output. High-dose-rate exposure to a pacemaker could lead to an instantaneous malfunction and, even if temporary, should be avoided. Please err on the safe side.

Join for free or sign in to see the full answer

Mednet Member
Mednet Member
Radiation Oncology · University of Illinois, College of Medicine
Answered on

AAPM has very detailed guidelines for the Management of radiotherapy patients with implanted cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators: A Report of the AAPM TG-203. Miften et al., PMID 31571229

Also from Practical Rad Onc: Fagerstrom and Marotta, PMID 37578411.

Join for free or sign in to see the full answer

Mednet Member
Mednet MemberInvited Expert
Radiation Oncology · University of Texas at Tyler
Answered on

Avoid heroics; call the patient's electrophysiologist and request that he move the pacemaker/CIED to the patient's right side, far away from the target. It is a same-day surgery and requires light anesthesia. If the patient's device is intracardiac and immovable, then defer radiation therapy. No dev...

Join for free or sign in to see the full answer